Southern football announces 2011 schedule

Updated:
Wednesday, June 22, 2011 1:03 PM EDT

JOPLIN -- The Missouri Southern athletics department has announced the 2011 Lions Football schedule that includes five home games and five away contests, including a game in the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.

The Lions will open the 2011 campaign with a road contest at Central Missouri on Thursday night, September 1 at 7 pm from Walton Stadium in Warrensburg. Southern will then have two weeks to prepare for their home opener on September 17 against Washburn at 6 pm from Fred G. Hughes Stadium. That game will be designated as Military Appreciation Night with a special patriotic performance by the Lion Pride Marching Band at halftime and free admission to all military personnel.

Southern will then head up I-44 to take on Lincoln University in the 2011 Ameren St. Louis Gateway Classic to be held in the Edward Jones Dome. The game will be part of a double-header that day as the Lions play at 11 am and then Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Clark Atlanta will play thereafter. The Classic will feature events throughout the weekend, including a parade on Saturday morning. The Lion Pride Marching Band and spirit squads will perform at the parade. More information on ticket availability and events for MSSU fans and alumni will be released at a later date.

Homecoming 2011 is slated for October 1 as the Lions play host to Missouri Western at 2pm. Homecoming weekend includes a social on Friday night in the Ralph L. Gray Alumni Center, a pep rally on Friday and the annual Homecoming parade on campus at 11:30 am Saturday.

Following a road contest at Emporia State on October 8, the Lions will start a three-game home stand on October 15, playing host to Truman State at 1 pm. Southern will then take on Southwest Baptist for the annual Hall of Fame Game on October 22. The game will be televised as part of The MIAA TV network and therfore will kick off at 2:05 pm. Hall of Fame weekend activities include a social and induction dinner on Friday night and announcement of the 2011 Hall of Fame class at halftime of the game on Saturday. This will be a non-conference slate between the Lions and the Bearcats as SBU is in its final year competing as an independent before they will transition back to a full football-playing member of the MIAA in 2012.

Southern will then play its home finale on October 29, taking on five-time defending MIAA Champion Northwest Missouri State on Senior Day.

The Lions will finish the 2011 season with two road contests. Southern will travel to Fort Hays State on November 5 for a 2 pm game. The Lions will then finish off the regular season with the annual Sonic Miners Bowl at Pittsburg State on Saturday afternoon, November 12.

Football season tickets are $40 and can be ordered by contacting Aaron Lewis at 417-625-9820. Single game tickets go on sale two weeks prior to the game date.